CWFDES Back-to-School Update

The start of the 2024-2025 school year is just around the corner, and we couldn't be more excited to welcome you back! This Back to School issue of our Aviator Updates has all of the information and resources you need to get ready for a fantastic year!

A weekly issue of our Aviator Updates will be sent each Sunday evening to parents and guardians. They will contain notable dates, highlights from our school, and important information from SMCPS, ensuring your family is well-prepared and connected.

We are looking forward to partnering with you in your child's education this school year! Enjoy these last couple weeks of summer!

Kindly,

Ms. Katie Kortokrax, Principal

Mr. Zach Adams, Assistant Principal

HAC Opens for Parents: Friday, August 16th at 5:00 PM

Open House Compass: Monday, August 19th from 9:00-10:00AM

Open House K-5: Monday, August 19th from 1:00-3:00 PM

First Day of School K-5: Wednesday, August 21st

Open House Pre-K: Wednesday, August 21st @ 9:00-10:00AM (Orientation will include a classroom and a bus introduction!)

First Day of School Pre-K: Thursday, August 22nd

Labor Day (Schools Closed): Monday, September 2nd

We can't wait to welcome all of our students and families back into the building. Please mark your calendars and plan to join us so you can meet your student's teachers, visit classrooms, visit the PTA table, and enjoy the excitement of a new school year.

Avoid the crowds and lines! Teachers and staff will be available to meet students and families throughout the entire 120 minutes of Open House. A later arrival may mean less time in line! Feel free to bring in school supplies the day of Open House to leave in the classrooms!

*Please note: There will be no classroom changes on the day of Open House.*

COMPASS Open House: 9:00 am - 10:00 am

K-5 Open House: 1:00-3:00 pm

Pre-K Open House will start promptly at 9 on Wednesday, August 21st.

Check out the links and resources on this SMCPS Back to School Page and get ready for another excellent school year.

You may also check out the Students & Families Resources Page for even more resources.

www.smcps.org/bts

Friday, August 16 - Home Access Center opens by 5:00pm.

You will NOT be able to get into HAC prior to 5PM on 8/16.

Please Note: Official teacher assignments for students will be available at Open House. Information in HAC is subject to change based upon student and school needs. While the HAC opening date for parents/guardians is August 16th, FINALIZED class lists will be published at Open House.

Parents who are in need of their HAC login information should email Ms. Stephanie Magill at samagill@smcps.org. She will retrieve the information at her earliest convenience and will email the information to you. HAC login information will not be provided over the phone.

If you are electing to transport your child home from school, you need to sign up for a carpool pass PRIOR TO THE 1ST DAY OF SCHOOL by entering information on this form (or by clicking the blue button below). Your carpool placard will be ready for pick-up on Monday at Open House if you complete the survey by COB Thursday, August 15th. You will be asked to present ID in order to receive your carpool placard.

• Completion of the survey will generate an assigned number that will enable us to match a vehicle with a child/children. You will only need 1 number for your family.
• Up to 3 placards with the same number may be generated for you.
• We are not able to accommodate changes to carpool throughout the week. If you choose carpool, we ask that you use this method each day for pick-up.
• You do not need a pass in order to drop your child off in the morning.
• Student pick up begins at 3:10.

For students who may be walking or biking to and from Duke daily, please fill out this form (also linked below). After you submit, we will print the agreement, but we will also need your hand-written signature which you can provide at Open House on August 19th. It is recommended that walkers/bikers also complete car rider paperwork to receive a vehicle placard (for cases of inclement weather).

*Please note that all pre-k and kindergarten walkers/bike-riders must be signed out daily by an adult. Permission to sign out a student is reserved for the parent/guardian or an adult who is listed on the child’s emergency contact list.*

Bus Routes are now available through the SMCPS online look-up feature. These routes and stops will be constantly updated between now and the start of school.

Select this link to learn how to view the real-time location of your child's bus. We highly recommend signing up for this helpful app!

Hello Friends! After nearly two years working as a substitute teacher I am very fortunate to receive a teaching position at Duke! I taught Secondary English for 18 years in Ohio and across Australia. The military eventually brought us to Leonardtown and with that provided me the opportunity to explore and truly appreciate working with K-5 students. I enjoyed substitute teaching at Duke so much that I received my Elementary Teaching License in hope to become a part of the Aviator Family. I can’t wait to facilitate exciting experiences this 2024-2025 school year sending students SOARing to great triumphs.

I am so excited to be joining the Duke family again this year! I started with Duke in the Spring of 2024 and am happy to return. I’m looking forward to seeing previous students and meeting new ones.

Prior to becoming an Aviator, I was a Raider at LHS for a year. Before that, I taught Health and PE as well as Special Education in Cecil County where I also coached Cross Country and Track & Field.

I have two daughters, June who is in first grade and Margaret who is 3. I have two dogs, Cora and Winston, both English Setters. I enjoy living in Leonardtown with my family! My hobbies include running, listening to podcasts, organizing, and hanging out with friends and family.

Recognizing that accidents do occur and understanding that each family's insurance situation may be different, St. Mary's County Public Schools has arranged with Bob McCloskey Insurance to offer student accident insurance.

Please click on the following documents for additional information:

• Letter to Parents
• Student Accident Insurance Program FACT SHEET
• Enrollment Instructions

Please review the list of medical forms: https://www.smcps.org/health-safety/immunizations-medical-forms.

If your student takes medication at school, requires an Emergency Action Plan, or has any other unique medical needs, please take the pertinent form(s) to your student's medical provider to complete them before the start of the school year.

Please note the following changes:

• Medication administration - ALL medication requires an order.
• Emergency Medications - Parent must bring meds to school, stock EpiPens NOT guaranteed.

Within the Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) is the Google Workspace for Education Additional Services Agreement. In order for students to have access to "additional services," the form granting your student access must be completed.

Does your student know where their laptop and charger are? Please take a few minutes before the start of the year to power on the device, run all of the updates, and ensure it is in working order.

Students are responsible for their SMCPS laptops, which require the same care and upkeep as any other loaned resources. Textbooks, novels, laptops, and chargers can incur a debt if lost or damaged. Please look at the student accountability newsletter included in each weekly school newsletter.

Captain Walter Francis Duke Elementary

Ms. Katie Kortokrax, Principal

Mr. Zach Adams, Assistant Principal

We welcome your questions and inquiries. Please call 240-309-4658, refer to the SMCPS Website, or our CWFDES website for additional information.

Website: https://schools.smcps.org/cwfdes/
Location: 23595 Hayden Farm Lane, Leonardtown, MD 20650
Phone: (240) 309-4658
Twitter X: @CWFDES_SMCPS